Pakistan

No evidence of establishment's neutrality in Senate polls: Fazl

Says PDM will surprise the govt with its victory; demands re-elections in Daska, Kurram

Our Correspondent February 25, 2021

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman. PHOTO: INP/FILE

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman on Thursday rejected the notion that the establishment was neutral, saying there was no evidence to suggest so.

"There is no evidence of the establishment being neutral," Fazl told media persons in Peshawar today. "We are firm on our stance regarding the 2018 general elections," he added.

Two days ago, during a meeting with the Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader and PDM's nominee for Senate's chairmanship, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the establishment was neutral on this matter.

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''The judges observed that the Constitution did not provide any provision for secret voting in the Senate," he noted, saying that when such is the case, the Parliament steps in to interpret the matter.

The court, he maintained, should abstain from becoming a party in the case. The JUI-F chief further said that the government is all set to be surprised with PDM's victory in the polls.

He added that Senate's elections have nothing to do with the planned march towards the federal capital. "The convoys will head to Islamabad on March 26 as planned."

"The rigging in Kurram Agency and Daska is unacceptable; bogus votes were found in the Agency," he said.

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Fazl added, "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) candidate should be declared ineligible in Kurram."

He observed that the results were changed and the undeserving candidate was made to win. "We reject such results."

"In the by-elections, officials of the Election Commission (ECP) were either involved or helpless, but the electoral authority, instead of taking a notice, has held the results of the polls."

"ECP should make its decision," the veteran politician demanded, saying, "rigging is what it is regardless of who's involved. The authority should announce re-polls in both the constituencies."